I'm actually having a pretty damned good Fall, because I've been relieved (much earlier than I anticipated) of a lot of anxiety and uncertainties. I can now go camping and other enjoyable activities without worrying about missing some part in a potentially epic season.

Speaking of: haven't heard jack shit from you in the Now Playing thread, lately. Check out Pepperboy out of LR if you haven't already.

__________________In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
- H. L. Mencken

Not going to hit you with that, NewChief. You don't deserve it. Not only that, it seems like something a KU fan would do.

__________________
That rabbit is crazy; I'm Brian Waters!

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

Not going to hit you with that, NewChief. You don't deserve it. Not only that, it seems like something a KU fan would do.

It's been a very strange last couple of years as a fan of the Razorbacks, I'll just say that. Not sure when or where this particular rollercoaster is going to end up. I've become fairly ambivalent on this season, though. Wait to see what happens in the offseason with new coaching hires.

It's all good. The increased media presence on the national stage by the Hogs was exposing way too much of my home state's crazy to public scrutiny (see Reaper's video).

__________________In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
- H. L. Mencken

COLUMBIA, Mo. • In the annals of Mizzou football history, junior L'Damian Washington's 69-yard touchdown reception Saturday will be faintly recalled for giving the Tigers a 17-9 lead over Georgia in the third quarter of MU's debut in Southeastern Conference play.

MU went on to lose 41-20.

But the moment will forever have more poignant meaning in the lives of Washington and his three brothers.

"I've still got tears in my eyes," said La Courtney Washington, the eldest, by telephone Tuesday from their home in Shreveport, La.

The brothers were orphaned at ages 19, 17, 15 and 9 when their mother died after complications from a blood clot, which surfaced at one of Washington's basketball games six years ago.

In a season Washington is dedicating to his mother, Sonya, the Georgia game marked the first time his brothers ever have seen him play in Columbia.

Forgive Washington if he was unable to block that all out until he ducked his head on the sideline "just to gather myself," he said. In the peak of emotion, he was teary-eyed himself.

He thought of the mother who worked at a hospital and raised the boys for 10 years on her own after the father of the oldest three had been shot and killed.

Washington, the third-oldest, thought of the bond among the four, who vowed at the hospital the night she died never to be separated — and had to fight countless battles to honor that.

"Everything that I do is for them," Washington said. "That touchdown, that's their touchdown."

That touchdown also might be a harbinger of plenty more to come, perhaps starting with MU's game Saturday against Arizona State.

Washington had 20 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns last season.

But he has been under the radar, given the profile of senior T.J. Moe and his 146 catches in 2010-2011, the rise of junior Marcus Lucas, who is tied with Moe for the team lead with nine receptions this season, and, of course, the breathless expectations for freshman Dorial Green-Beckham, the nation's top recruit.

The radar may soon find Washington, though: He said he's been timed at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He sheepishly said he considers himself the fastest on the team, and not many dispute that.

But playing the position is about a lot more than just speed, and upon his arrival at MU Washington had plenty he needed to learn and add to his game — starting with his weight.

At 6 feet 2 when he arrived in 2009 for what became a redshirt season, Washington was generously listed as 185 pounds.

Co-offensive line coach Josh Henson, who recruited Washington, remembers well greeting him and taking him to a campus cafeteria.

"'Coach, I can eat any of this? As much as I want?' " Henson recalled Washington asking. "It was like a kid going to play in an amusement park."

Washington was diligent about everything from putting on weight — he's now 195 — to improving his blocking to learning the playbook. But he also initially was distracted and tempted to go back home to help care for his youngest brother, Tomarious. It took time to convince him that the best way to help them all was to stay with school and football.

"It always takes guys a certain amount of time (to adjust to college), but he just had way more things outside of the University of Missouri football team than the average guy has," receivers coach Andy Hill said. "He does not have what the normal guy has."

When their mother died, La Courtney Washington said he cried for perhaps "three months straight" and lost 25 pounds.

He had to forgo his own plans to play football at Louisiana Tech, he said, and pour himself into basic survival issues, such as learning to cook, opening a bank account and buying school supplies.

The brothers Washington also had to fend off movements to put them in foster homes or split them up among other relatives, he said.

"We raised each other up," said La Courtney, who works in a factory.

Not surprisingly, it didn't all go smoothly.

At one point, lights and other utilities were turned off and they were forced to move out of their house, even living apart with friends briefly.

"They were almost on the streets," Stephen Dennis, Washington's coach at Green Oaks High, told the Post-Dispatch in 2010. "Close to it."

But with help from people like Dennis, a supportive community and Ebenezer Baptist Church, the four found a way.

And L'Damian became such an accomplished example that Shreveport declared a day in his honor when he graduated and bestowed upon him a key to the city.

Washington still cites his Christian faith as a major reason for his ability to stay clear-headed and persevere to where he is now.

And for the family, it all was embodied in one snapshot Saturday night.

"He's just an unbelievable story, really, of courage," Henson said. "And of just a person making up his mind that no matter what his circumstances, they're going to believe in themselves, they're going to do things right and they're going to overcome."

__________________
That rabbit is crazy; I'm Brian Waters!

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

You guys think Mizzou will recruit Rome now that he's left the Huskers?

I doubt it. Pinkel didn't even offer him until really late in the game IIRC, basically after it was clear that he wasn't going to accept the offer. It seemed like Pinkel didn't want him but didn't want to burn any bridges by not offering a local kid. Isn't his entire family a bunch of headcases?

You guys think Mizzou will recruit Rome now that he's left the Huskers?

Zero chance.

__________________
That rabbit is crazy; I'm Brian Waters!

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

Seems like a bold statement. Why do you think there's no chance at all?

1) Missouri coaches are past being a 'backup plan' for in-state guys who spurn Mizzou the first time and want to come back.

2) They never wanted Rome that much in the first place.

3) Rome probably isn't interested in coming back to Missouri (he lived there for like 8 months before committing)

4) AJ Ofodile told me - and I'm sure Mizzou coaches - the kid wasn't going to improve much as a college player because there wasn't that much place to go. And its not like he's been a plus player at Nebraska. Merely OK.

I doubt it. Pinkel didn't even offer him until really late in the game IIRC, basically after it was clear that he wasn't going to accept the offer. It seemed like Pinkel didn't want him but didn't want to burn any bridges by not offering a local kid. Isn't his entire family a bunch of headcases?

Several GA fans who attended the game in Columbia have made some interesting comments about the add, and MIZZOU in general, on facebook images of this add.

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Hello Missouri fans, Just wanted to let you know how much the Georgia fans enjoyed your hospitality. I have been a season ticket holder at UGA for over 30 years, and you guys, by far, were the best fans we have ever been around, Can't wait for you all to come to the classic city, and let us return the favor. Good luck the rest of the season and welcome to the SEC. GO DAWGS & GO TIGERS, CAN'T wait for next year.

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they could not have been any nicer!! Looking forward to going back in 2014

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And generous with their adult beverages too!

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We needed more classy fans in the conference. My parents made the trip and the text my Dad sent me before the game remarked how friendly and polite the Mizzou fans were. I think all the fans in the SEC could learn something from the Missouri fans.

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Mizzou fans, you definitely treated my family with the same respect and we Dawgs thank you again for the mid-Missouri hospitality. We will be back very soon to visit your wonderful stadium and classy football fans!

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Missouri you just became my #2 team! Class act! Welcome to the SEC! It was a great game and I was impressed by the Mizzou fans then - and even moreso now.

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Class act by both parties! You guys have a rocking stadium by the way I shaken by the flat screen!! But again good luck

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Wow! From the moment we arrived in Columbia, everyone from fans to law enforcement to tailgaters welcomed us as if we were the only car load there! We were dressed in Red , and could not walk past a tent without someone coming out and shaking our hand, giving us food, drink, chairs etc. I knew from my trips hauling building materials through there that the people were nice . Now I can honestly say that they are the most hospitable people I have ever met. They also have a team that will compete in the SEC. I would not have bet on Ga at the end of the 3rd qtr Sat night. Even after the game the Mizz fans had the same Class as before. I will be in Athens to do my part to return the favor

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Who knew the new Tigers would show the old 2 how an SEC team should conduct themselves. Pay attention Auburn and LSU.